Mazamas — For the Love of Mountains
Strawberry Mountain is the highest point in the Blue Mountains. It's in the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness, and is located east of John Day, Oregon, in the Malheur National Forest. Although an impressive 9,000+ feet tall, this mountain is a gentle ascent with no technical requirements.
Activity Notes
Climb to the highest point in Oregon between the Cascades and the Wallowas/Steens, at a time of year when the only climbing equipment you'll need will be a helmet. The rewards will be experiencing a bioregion and viewpoints new to many of us. The primary potential dangers will be sun exposure and ticks. The climb will be canceled if thunderstorms or hazardous air quality are predicted.
This will be a day climb on Saturday, August 3, 2024. The expected stats are 12.5 miles and 3,600' elevation gain to 9,035' in altitude. We will car-camp Friday and Saturday nights at Clyde Holliday State Recreation Site, sites 6 and 8, and there will be no extra fees if we travel in two vehicles. I will seek $17 via Venmo from each climber, whether staying one or both nights, to cover the camping reservation cost I incurred.
Consider that it's just under 5 hours from Portland to Clyde Holliday and just under 6 hours from Portland to the Strawberry Basin trailhead. This is why I reserved both nights at the campground. We'll have an opportunity for a post-climb meal in Prairie City or John Day.
| Other Information | |
|---|---|
| Driving Distance from Portland | 250 miles |
| Driving Time from Portland | 7 hours |
| Expected Duration | Car to car in one day |
| Relevant Books | 75 Scrambles in Oregon by Barbara Bond |
| Relevant Maps | Strawberry Mountain Monument Rock Wilderness, 1991, US Forest Service |
| Useful Links | GPS Track GPS Coordinates Map |
